Jesus, Original Wisdom

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. – Matthew 7:24-29

As we move through our lives we should be able to identify what works and what does not.

We should accumulate wisdom if we are paying attention and keeping track of results.

Admittedly, we will most likely have a longer list of what does not work than what does work. Even so, these valuable discoveries of what works should become an inheritance that older generations share with younger generations. Such accumulated wisdom should be greatly valued.

Unfortunately, generational, accumulated wisdom has largely been dismissed as irrelevant now that change has gathered so much speed. Perhaps “Change is picking up speed! Adapt quickly!” is the new accumulated wisdom of the last 50 years!

There is, however, another kind of wisdom we can point to for the rising generations. It is called “original wisdom.” “Original wisdom” is the kind of wisdom that comes from before time and before change. It is the wisdom that comes from the original design of reality. It is revealed wisdom and not trial and error, accumulated wisdom.

Many no longer believe in “original wisdom” so they certainly do not expect to find any. They don’t even look for it!

Many, however, do believe that “original wisdom” still exists. In fact, Christians believe the “original wisdom” became flesh and dwelt among us. Jesus is the flesh and blood revelation of “original wisdom” and that is why He should be listened to. If we have little to say to the rising generations, we can certainly say As change speeds up, listen to Jesus!.

All who have listened closely to Jesus certainly know He taught as one who intimately knew and lived the “original wisdom”. He never gave opinions which is a sure sign of “original wisdom.”

When Jesus spoke his wisdom sounded original in the deepest sense of the word. That is why Jesus’ teachings never grow old. What he said is older than old. It is original.

People who rely on and obey the “original wisdom” of Jesus will have no trouble with the speed of change and adapting to new realities. Their feet will be on the rock of “original wisdom” as the storm passes by.